Columbus-based Equality Ohio tapped Alana Jochum to launch its Cleveland office in 2014, hiring the Upstate New York transplant — at the time an associate at Squire Patton Boggs — to direct its Northeast Ohio operations just as LGBTQ issues were gaining momentum in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland was hosting the Gay Games. "We also knew it was also a time of contrast. Three trans-women of color were murdered within a very short time around the time of the Gay Games," she said. Jochum's oversight was extended statewide in 2015 when she became managing director of the organization. One year later, the Equality Ohio board put Jochum in the executive director seat.

What inspires you about your work?

It is all the stories that we hear. People who are now married to their partners and could not believe that would happen in their lifetime. Leelah Alcorn, the trans-woman in Cincinnati, who sadly took her life. She had endured conversion therapy and couldn't take it anymore. She committed suicide and left a note to society. Her last words were 'fix society please.' I take it very seriously.

Why did you pursue law?

I always wanted to do something affecting civil rights. As time past, I realized it was necessary to understand the systems in which people become entangled and how to navigate those systems in order to improve them or at least help people thrive or even survive through them at times.

What is the biggest challenge facing Equality Ohio?

People sometimes find it hard to believe that it is 2016 and we don't have basic non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community. Eight out to 10 Ohioans don't know the law does not protect everybody yet.

What types of community-based events or organizations do you participate in?

I am very involved with my alma mater Cleveland-Marshall. I sit on the board of visitors. I love Cleveland-Marshall, and I love the opportunity it provides for its students to take the law and apply it toward a life of justice.

What others are saying:

What inspires you about Alana?

"Her example makes me proud of the profession that I have chosen, and she inspires me to utilize my legal skills and efforts beyond my career legal practice area and into areas that will create a better society for all our citizens."

— Anthony Andricks, staff attorney, Thompson Hine and a founder and co-chair of the LGBT and Allies Committee of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Recommended for You

Crain's Morning Roundup

Business headlines from Crain's Cleveland Business and other Ohio newspapers — delivered FREE to your inbox every morning. Sign up for the Morning Newsletter.